Category: make me smile

  • just beachy


    together, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

    Last night John & I chased the sunset, arriving at the beach just moments before the sun sank into the horizon. We shared a picnic and enjoyed being outdoors together. I marveled that I was feeling well enough to even get to the beach–though I really only walked a few dozen yards from our parking spot to the tideline.

    This morning I had a surgical follow-up appointment and was told that my wound had healed enough that I could cease debridement. I’m healing so much faster this time ’round than with any of the previous lancings/drainings of the wound. Everyone is very sure that “we got it this time” and that this is all behind me now.

    I’m scared to be too hopeful yet, but let’s just say that I’m actually making my reservation for the Exponent Women’s Retreat in Boston today–working on the hope that I will actually be well enough in September to go. (for those of you who are local to Boston–where’s the best teahouse/coffeehouse? Last time we were there we encountered a few late at night walking around Harvard, but didn’t have time to try any of them.)

    A few days ago I cut my hair–realizing that it had been months since I’d even had the energy to think about hair, face, etc. I’d not even had the strength to stand at the sink long enough to really brush my hair, much less consider style and/or blowdry. It’s such a superficial thing, but it’s really a thrill to notice the difference in how I feel–that I actually have the mental and physical stamina to get back into my own self-care routines.

    Today the surgical nurse warned me that I’m going to have a pretty ugly indented scar on my leg for the rest of my life. I told her that that didn’t matter to me as long as the infection was gone. Scars are of such little consequence when one is finally feeling better again!

  • Pilgrimsteps: the World Tour

    beehive tearoom

    I got this idea from Dar, who posted it as #67 of her “100 Things to Do Before I Die” list…

    I would totally love to do a Pilgrimsteps World Tour to have a cup of tea with all of you groovy blogfolk. Drop a line in the comments to tell me where I’ll need to stop on my tour (your city), and also name your favorite local teahouse/coffeehouse (or bakery, yum!) for our meetup. Sound fun?

    Weehaa, here we go!

    For the OC tourstop, we’ll meet at Kean’s Coffee, where we can sip artisan lattes and watch the rich & famous get their caffeine fix.

  • let’s celebrate today (with a giveaway!)

    orange and cheery

    There’s so much good going on right now! It’s time for some celebrating:

    1) I’ve been aching to take some pictures, but just as I started feeling well enough to do so, my camera broke. John picked up a new one for me today, and let me tell you, the first few sample shots have me pleased (see the one above), even if I do still need to learn the bells and whistles. Speaking of which….my camera really needs a good name. For everyone who submits a name suggestion in the comments, I’ll put your name in a hat for a DRAWING next Friday. The PRIZE will be any 8″x10″ print that you’d like from my flickr feed–I’d suggest one of the garden pics, myself.

    2) I’m healing well–no current signs of infection and I can get around pretty well without crutches now. I’m guessing that within the next week or so, I’m going to feel better than I have for many months (fingers crossed, knocking on wood, etc, etc, etc.)

    3) Gradually, I’ve been getting to visiting many of your blogs. You people are so smart and interesting and cool! Thanks so much just for being you (queue Mr. Rogers’ music….”because I like you just the way you are”).

    4) Today as I’ve puttered around the house a bit I’ve been overwhelmed by the love that’s been showered on my family over the past few weeks. There are nummy foods from friends in the fridge, flowers on my table, handmade soap on my nightstand (that I will actually break open and use soon enough), colorful cards propped up on my sewing table, and a generous stash of dark chocolate in the cupboard. You all really know how to make me smile. Thank you.

    PS: I’m not usually so sappy, but I’m just so happy to be feeling good again. Can you blame me? :)

    UPDATE…
    The camera is another powershot, very similar to my last one. I didn’t say that right off the bat, because…well, it’s a bit embarrassing to be using a camera like that when so many of my blogger friends have REAL cameras–like the rebel kinds with ginormous phallic lenses and stuff.
    One of the reviews said “This is the kind of camera you buy for your Mum.” So I guess you can now all call me Mum.
    (but do note that it is a groovy shade of “Bohemian Brown,” so that ups its coolness factor just a tidge)

  • when good things happen to me

    Just as a quick addendum to my last post, I wanted to let ya know that the healing I’ve been doing for the past two weeks? Well, as of right now it looks as though further intravenous treatments, surgery, and so forth will not be necessary. Hah!

    The upshot: I’ve got a busy summer ahead full of swimming, researching, teaching, gardening, writing, meditating, and LIVING.

    :)

    In the meantime: continuing to praise each new day. At this moment: drinking my afternoon cuppa with a silly grin on my face and a purry-purry kitty at my hip.

  • je suis contente

    What a gorgeous morning it is here in Cache Valley! John and I stole away from the wedding preparations for an hour to have breakfast together in a friendly cafe (so friendly that they even remember our drink preferences from yesterday’s visit!).

    Yesterday I did the preliminary legwork for my research at USU later in the summer, I spent time holding and playing with nieces and nephews, I met the many friends and family members of the groom that I’ve heard about for so many years, I giggled with siblings and in-laws, and enjoyed June weather as it was meant to be.

    In just a few hours our kids (duet on flute and cello) will be playing the processional as my youngest sister walks down the aisle. As they practiced last night and I watched their earnestness, my heart swelled so large with pride at these two gifted and beautiful creatures!

    This is one of those days when one feels the whole world is alive and awake and smiling–life is so sweet! I feel as though I want the earth to swing just a bit slower on its axis today. To let this day last just a bit longer…

    UPDATE: Thanks French police! I am contente and not content!!

  • Make me smile…

    –one more hurdle crossed, my first-ever baseline mammogram. Whew. Like when the tech said I had to hold my breath while she took the film, I wanted to say (had I had breath to do so), how could I not hold my breath when she has just squished me into this vise? But really it was far faster and far less painful than I’d been led to believe. And it’s over and from what they said this may well be the most painful one (given that boobs tend to get smooshier over time, I suppose?). [Note: I am a bit on the young side for a mammogram, but I’ve recently learned that women who had my type of cancer and treatment have a much higher risk of breast cancer]

    –drove to Long Beach and back in record time to get GameBoy’s cello repaired in the nick of time before his grande concert. Jacarandas were everywhere along the way. How can that not make me smile?

    –had some QT in the garden yesterday. Planted more basil (for 14 plants total this year! pesto, anyone?), marigolds, asters, peppers, one more tomato (squeezed in just so), and a new-to-me type of lavender (that makes four so far). I have the most amazing new garden neighbors who are planting cucumber vines all along our shared fence (yum). And did I tell you that blackberry season just began–I nibbled my first 2 last Wednesday and expect to have a few cupfuls by mid-week? I didn’t get the corn in this weekend as I’d hoped, but fortunately I can plant it until late July if need be. As I was telling a friend yesterday, I refuse to feel garden guilt if I can’t get everything in as early as possible. I’m taking things one step at a time this year….

    :)

  • so sweet


    a perfect little gift, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

    If it was your birthday, and if you found this sweet little package waiting for you this morning, you might be especially thrilled to offer your beloved some vanilla-lavendery kisses.

    My lips could get very spoiled by all of this….

    :)

  • p.s.

    Yesterday I neglected to mention how I’m celebrating my anniversary today. Curious?

    :)

    P.S.: This is my odd synchronicity for today….I have always had a round belly (except for that one year that I was having chemo and I dropped to 70lbs). Anyways, I hate it. Well, I’m not the only one with the belly issue…(you’ll want to scroll down past the fish people part of Amanda’s blogentry to get what I mean and then watch the following vid set to the music of my all-time fav DD song, the one that I listen to daily at the end of my workouts where I do my damn situps to try to get rid of my belly)….

  • jacaranda


    Today, coming home from Meeting, we drove through several streets in Old Santa Ana like the one above–lined with Jacaranda trees. It was snowing neon purple blossoms. If I’d been feeling a bit better, I would have danced in the falling flowers.

    pic by John

  • locket


    locket, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

    This locket was my Mother’s Day gift from the kids and John. It has pictures of both of my babies inside. I love the flower detailing on the outside of the locket and the mini flowers that dangle from the chain at the top. A treasure, indeed.

  • Make me smile (and shed a few tears)…


    lotsa roses, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

    –taking catnap lessons from Elly. And I just love that her favorite nap spot is on the pillow where I prop my left leg. She curls up next to it as if to take that edge of pain away.

    –Apparently my big climbing rose is still blooming like crazy. Those coffee grounds I was feeding it all winter–they are working their good magic. I suspect that by the end of the week I’ll get to take a look-see for myself. In the meantime the kids have cut a big bouquet for my table. (Do you know that even though my original injury was in the garden, I want more than anything to return….)

    –Friends. There really aren’t enough words to say for the friends who’ve brought (delicious) food, who have visited, who have cared for my children. You people rock!

    –I am even more wordless when I think of John during these past few days. I’ve buried my head in his chest and just sobbed–he’s watched every needle going in and has been strong. He’s insisted at being at each doctor appointment and in making sure that I’m not getting my medications muddled up (“the shot glass on your nightstand, that one holds the next dose, dear”). Even while under increasing pressure at work, he’s holding up strong. I am so sorry for the toll on him that this has been. I’m sorry for the way that his needs are continually compromised because of mine.

    –And of course I’m smiling because I am feeling better. I am nearly pain-free now and I go to the doc in a few hours to see if I can start back (slowly) into my regular routines again. Best of all, the redness and swelling in my leg is nearly gone. Though I don’t doubt that I’ll have some longterm healing and scarring around the wound site, for the most part my leg is looking quite healthy now.

    –just as I’m typing this,Regina Spektor’s “On the Radio” came onto my iTunes playlist.. In so many ways this has been ‘my song’ for the past few years.

    :)

  • overheard

    At breakfast this morning:

    “What kitty doesn’t like bacon?”

    As John and GameBoy hand-feed nibbles of bacon to TobyJoy.